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Pitboss 306
Canada
2 Posts |
 Posted - 01/10/2010 : 12:36:34
I studied Yang style Taichi under Sifu Kent Mark for a couple years, learning short form, long form, fast form, push hands and started weapons before leaving class and practicing for the last 8 years on my own, Sifu really stressed the meditation over martial applications. His top student (and major help to my personal instruction) recently started instructing a Wu style class, and i was wondering about the major difference(s) between the styles?I remember hearing that Chen was the most Martial, and Wu the most fluid, but i don't know if that is accurate. Any help? |
psdtc
USA
6722 Posts |
Posted - 01/11/2010 : 11:06:05
quote:
I studied Yang style Taichi under Sifu Kent Mark for a couple years, learning short form, long form, fast form, push hands and started weapons before leaving class and practicing for the last 8 years on my own, Sifu really stressed the meditation over martial applications. His top student (and major help to my personal instruction) recently started instructing a Wu style class, and i was wondering about the major difference(s) between the styles?I remember hearing that Chen was the most Martial, and Wu the most fluid, but i don't know if that is accurate. Any help?
Welcome to the forum. I look forward to hearing your opinions.As for stressing meditation over martial application, I tend to disagree with that. There should be a balance in knowledge as well as the physical aspect for conditioning in general. Tai Chi has great potential to be a very effective martial art as well as helping in the health department. I am not a Tai Chi instructor but I have vast knowledge in many areas of martial arts. Ken will fill you in more on this one. Ron Kosakowski
Practical Self Defense Training Center
847 Hamilton Ave. (RT 69)
Waterbury, CT 06706
203-596-9073
info@psdtc.com
http://www.psdtc.com
http://www.traditionalfilipinoweapons.com |
Tai Chi Ken
USA
44 Posts |
Posted - 01/11/2010 : 15:44:04
Hi Pitboss,I don't see how I could say one style is more martial than another. Its really the practitioner who would make that distinction. I've met some Yang & Wu guys who were pretty impressive in the martial department. And I've met some Chen stylists who were only interested in form competitions. I guess its safe to say that most Chen stylists are more martial in outlook, but its not a hard and fast rule. Also, you don't need to choose one (health or fighting) over the other, you can train for both concurrently. In fact, training for both is the best way to go as either facet will increase your understanding and ability in the other. As for the differences in the styles, I'll give you my opinion. I've never trained in Wu style but I have trained in Sun style which came from Wu. All Taiji has certain characteristics that are found in all Taiji; all the styles have these in common. The difference really is in what is stressed during training. I've found that Yang stresses using the ground-force as a wave from the feet to the waist to the arms. Chen stresses the spiral and tan-tien rotation. Sun (and if I'm correct, Wu) stresses open-close (empty/full). Like I said, all styles of Taiji contain all of the above, its just what is accented that's different. Like how Rock, Jazz & Country all use a 4-4 beat, but each works with that beat a little differently. Also note that there are areas where Rock melds with Jazz or Country, there aren't "walls" between them. Likewise, each style of Taiji has a "range" and areas where one style is indistinguishable from another. Alot of time the difference is in the instructor and his methods. -K |
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Differences between styles?
